Yeah, dealing with snow is one thing.....snow melt a whole other ball game. Use a cart I use a hand truck to move feed bags, I could pick them up, but body would pay big time for days, so why do that to myself?
Last heavy snow did that to my bamboo. Wasn't paying attention. Next time I'll be out there shaking it off periodically so it doesn't get to that point. Had some cracked culms, but the stuff needed thinning out anyway. Had to muscle a lot of culms back into position. Looks good now.
Going through exactly the same here in north central Missouri. Got 10 inches of snow last Saturday. With temps above freezing the last few days it is a mess. Everywhere my husband bladed so we can get in and out and to coops and barns is now sloppy mud. Mud is over the feet of my boot in some areas immediately around chicken coops. Chickens not doing bad so far, but coops getting stinky and moist. Only a few younger ones venturing outside. We also have owls hanging out too close for comfort during the day. The dogs chased one off the other day. Lots of tracks in the snow. Have only seen one fox within 50 yards, he looked more like he was passing through. Hopefully the activity of the dogs going in and out will deter him some. When they're not inside sleeping by the wood stove! We have a Mennonite community just north of us. Some of them are my best/biggest egg customers. We are in our new house "shouse" as they call it. 40' X 54' barn home. Mennonite built! We are finishing the inside ourselves. There are a few families we do a lot of business with, and i would call friends....or maybe very friendly acquaintances. It's not like we "hang out...LOL! Bracing for this next round of snow. They have downgraded it some, but this time the wind will cause big problems!
...and an engine! I don't have to go 200 yards...and it's all concrete or pretty smooth yard path so pneumatic tired hand trick does just fine.
Mine is coarse gravel where through a little valley. Original intent was to use truck all the way to barn bit 4 wheel drive failed. Base also too soft promoting ruts this time of year.
just wanted to throw out that even in Florida we got down in the forty's, the chickens were not happy with me leaving them locked up until 8, when the sun was above the trees. They went from 90 a couple months ago to now 40. They are so resilient!!
@SueT - def, I see the snow and shiver with you - but so glad I don't have to shovel it!! I did live in Chicago for years and can just sigh, when forty to me now, feels like 10 up there!!